CR 10321:2003

Chemical analysis of ferrous materials - Recommendations for the drafting of standard methods of analysis employing flame atomic absorption spectrometry for the chemical analysis of iron and steel

Revision of ECISS Information Circular No 8.

Chemische Analyse von Eisenwerkstoffen - Empfehlungen für die Entwickling von Standard-Analyseverfahren für die chemische Analyse von Eisen und Stahl unter der Anwendung der Flammen-Atomabsorptionsspektrometrie

Analyse chimique des matériaux sidérurgiques - Recommendations pour la rédaction de méthodes d'analyse normalisées employant la spectrométrie d'absorption atomique dans la flamme pour l'analyse chimique des fontes et des aciers

Kemična analiza železovih materialov – Priporočila za razvoj standardnih analiznih metod za kemične analize železa in jekla z uporabo spektrometrije s plamensko atomsko absorpcijo

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 25-Mar-2003
• ICS: 77.040.30 - Chemical analysis of metals
• Technical Committee: ECISS/TC 102 - Methods of chemical analysis for iron and steel
• Drafting Committee: ECISS/TC 102/WG 3 - Determination of environmentally sensitive elements in steel
• Current Stage: 6060 - Definitive text made available (DAV) - Publishing
• Start Date: 26-Mar-2003
• Completion Date: 26-Mar-2003
• Ref Project: SIST CR 10321:2003 - Chemical analysis of ferrous materials - Recommendations for the drafting of standard methods of analysis employing flame atomic absorption spectrometry for the chemical analysis of iron and steel

Overview

CR 10321:2003 - Chemical analysis of ferrous materials (CEN Report) provides recommendations for drafting standard methods that use flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS / flame AAS) to determine chemical elements in iron and steel. Prepared by CEN/TC 20 and approved by CEN, this document updates and revises earlier ECISS guidance and addresses how instrumental analytical methods should be specified in standard documents so they are reproducible across different laboratories and instrument makes.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Instrumental criteria: The report recommends specifying instrument suitability by fundamental performance metrics rather than by vendor-specific settings. The three primary criteria are:
  • Limit of detection (LOD) - derived from replicate background/blank measurements; guidance is given on practical measurement (e.g., use of 10 replicates).
  • Calibration curve linearity / curvature - limits on acceptable curvature and practical rules (e.g., mid‑point absorbance should not exceed ~0.55 × full scale when stray light is a factor).
  • Precision - minimum precision requirements for calibration and blank levels to ensure usable standard methods.
• Instrument adjustment and optimization: Guidance to ensure instruments are optimized (not merely adjusted to meet a threshold) before performance checks.
• Sample and solution preparation: Recommendations on preparing test solutions and calibration standards in the same matrix to improve accuracy.
• Calibration procedures: Best practices for selecting calibration ranges, number of points, and handling non‑linear regions.
• Interferences and background correction: Identification and handling of chemical and spectral interferences common in ferrous matrices.
• Expression of results & safety: Guidance on how to present analytical results and requirements for safe laboratory practice.
• Illustrative examples: Informative annexes include a flame AAS method for calcium in steel and precision data; a cobalt determination example illustrates dilution and matrix-correction procedures.

Practical applications and users

This CEN report is intended for:

• Standards authors and technical committees drafting referee or arbitration methods for iron and steel.
• Metallurgical and analytical laboratories implementing or validating FAAS methods for routine quality control and specification testing.
• Instrument manufacturers and suppliers seeking to confirm their equipment meets commonly accepted performance criteria.
• Quality managers and regulatory bodies requiring reproducible, comparable chemical analysis across laboratories.

Use cases include trace and routine determination of alloying elements and impurities in ferrous products where flame AAS is appropriate, method validation, and preparation of standard operating procedures.

Related standards

• CR 10322 - Operational guidelines for the application of flame AAS in standard methods for iron and steel (referenced for instrument optimization and operational detail).
• Relevant CEN/CEN‑TC 20 publications and national standards on chemical analysis of ferrous materials.

Keywords: CR 10321:2003, flame atomic absorption spectrometry, FAAS, chemical analysis, ferrous materials, iron and steel, calibration, limit of detection, precision, CEN.

Standards Content (Sample)

2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.Chemische Analyse von Eisenwerkstoffen - Empfehlungen für die Entwickling von Standard-Analyseverfahren für die chemische Analyse von Eisen und Stahl unter der Anwendung der Flammen-AtomabsorptionsspektrometrieAnalyse chimique des matériaux sidérurgiques - Recommendations pour la rédaction de méthodes d'analyse normalisées employant la spectrométrie d'absorption atomique dans la flamme pour l'analyse chimique des fontes et des aciersChemical analysis of ferrous materials - Recommendations for the drafting of standard methods of analysis employing flame atomic absorption spectrometry for the chemical analysis of iron and steel77.040.30Kemijska analiza kovinChemical analysis of metalsICS:Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z:CR 10321:2003SIST CR 10321:2003en01-november-2003SIST CR 10321:2003SLOVENSKI
STANDARD
CEN REPORTRAPPORT CENCEN BERICHTCR 10321March 2003ICSEnglish versionChemical analysis of ferrous materials - Recommendations forthe drafting of standard methods of analysis employing flameatomic absorption spectrometry for the chemical analysis of ironand steelAnalyse chimique des matériaux sidérurgiques -Recommendations pour la rédaction de méthodesd'analyse normalisées employant la spectrométried'absorption atomique dans la flamme pour l'analysechimique des fontes et des aciersChemische Analyse von Eisenwerkstoffen - Empfehlungenfür die Entwickling von Standard-Analyseverfahren für diechemische Analyse von Eisen und Stahl unter derAnwendung der Flammen-AtomabsorptionsspektrometrieThis CEN Report was approved by CEN on 3 October 2001. It has been drawn up by the Technical Committee ECISS/TC 20.CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece,Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and UnitedKingdom.EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATIONCOMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATIONEUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNGManagement Centre: rue de Stassart, 36
B-1050 Brussels© 2003 CENAll rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reservedworldwide for CEN national Members.Ref. No. CR 10321:2003 ESIST CR 10321:2003

Chemical analysis of ferrous material - Determination of calcium in steels -Flame atomic absorption spectrometric method.12Annex B (informative) Precision data.18SIST CR 10321:2003

1 N.B. Characteristic concentration, formerly termed ’sensitivity’ in atomic absorption spectrometry.See clause 2.SIST CR 10321:2003
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